{"id":852274,"date":"2026-04-04T00:09:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852274\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T00:09:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:09:28","slug":"why-vikings-j-j-mccarthy-is-making-an-appearance-at-yankees-home-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852274\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy is making an appearance at Yankees’ home opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

J.J. McCarthy is going from the Twin Cities to The Bronx.<\/p>\n

The Vikings quarterback, 23, made a cameo appearance Friday at Yankee Stadium for the Bombers\u2019 home opener against the Marlins in support of Devils star and Olympic hero Jack Hughes, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch<\/a>, along with goaltender Aerin Frankel, who won gold in Milan with the women\u2019s team.<\/p>\n

McCarthy became friends with Hughes\u2019 younger brother and Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, 22, while attending the University of Michigan, according to NBC\u2019s Bruce Beck, who shared an Instagram snap with the quarterback<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The former Wolverine \u2014 who played for Michigan from 2021-23 and won a national title \u2014 tossed a baseball around with Hughes, 24, as captured by The Post.<\/p>\n

The Vikings\u2019 10th overall pick in 2024, McCarthy is coming off a rollercoaster first season as Minnesota\u2019s starter after recovering from a torn meniscus that derailed his rookie campaign.<\/p>\n

Although McCarthy showed flashes in 2025, he was hampered by inconsistent play and injuries, appearing in just 10 games.<\/p>\n

McCarthy tossed 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding four scores on the ground.<\/p>\n

\"J.J.J.J. McCarthy (second from left) with Jack Hughes (far left) during the Yankees\u2019 home opener on April 3, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post<\/p>\n

The Vikings finished the year at 9-8 and missed the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Minnesota has since added<\/a> to its quarterback room this offseason with the signing of former first overall pick Kyler Murray, who was released from the Cardinals in March after seven seasons.<\/p>\n

Murray, 28, agreed to a one-year deal with a quarterback competition expected.<\/p>\n

\"J.J.J.J. McCarthy was the Vikings\u2019 10th overall pick in 2024. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we accomplished a goal, which was to add a really talented player with some experience to that room,\u201d head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell said last month. \u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019m really excited about, as we set out to elevate the situation in that quarterback room, being very competitive.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Vikings also reunited with veteran quarterback Carson Wentz<\/a>, who relieved an injured McCarthy early last season before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury.<\/p>\n

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